Case Report: Just Transition in Colombia

"Colombia’s geographic and socioeconomic characteristics make the country highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Temperatures are on the rise, causing the glaciers of the Andes to melt. Higher intensity of rains leads to floods and landslides in some regions, while other have experienced severe droughts that impact agriculture and hydropower generation. 94 per cent of Colombians recognize effects of climate change on their daily lives...

In August 2022 a leftist government took office for the first time in the country’s history. Newly elected president Gustavo Petro pledged to make climate policies a priority and reformulate climate and energy transition policies in order to meet the goals. He had run for president with a government program elaborated with the contributions of popular assemblies. It stated early on the aim to turn Colombia into a leading country in the fight against climate change. ...  The program envisioned “gradually abandoning dependence on oil, coal and all types of mining and illegal economies, as well as agricultural production models that destroy nature and reproduce poverty”. This represents a difficult task for a country where oil and coal exports make up for more than half of total exports, the national bourgeoisie is aligned with transnational oil and mining corporations, and the government does not have the majority in the bicameral national legislature..."

Download Colombia Country Report